KARACHI, May 26: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shaikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday strongly condemned the incidents of bomb blasts near the Pakistan-American Cultural Center (PACC) and announced compensation for journalists who were injured while covering the incident. He also assured proper treatment for the injured.

He said that Rs50,000 would be given to those injured seriously and Rs25,000 each to those who received minor injuries. The minister was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information, Salahuddin Haider.

He said the terrorists who wanted to tarnish the image of Pakistan would not succeed in their hostile designs. He said the government was committed to rooting out all kinds of terrorism.

He underlined the need for more serious efforts to maintain law and order in the city. Responding to a question, Sheikh Rashid said he was optimistic that the issue of NFC award would be resolved soon.

Regarding the Wage Board Award, the minister said that a balanced approach would be adopted in this regard so that all the stakeholders were satisfied. He said he would convene a meeting of representatives from both sides and hoped that all the issues would be resolved amicably and to the satisfaction of both sides.

The government was concerned about the welfare of the journalists community and it had already taken various steps in this regard, including the establishment of a Journalist Welfare Foundation, he added.

Answering another question, Sheikh Rashid said Punjab had always come to the rescue of other provinces whether it was the issue of water or that of wheat. He asked the media to play a responsible role while handling the issues of national importance.

Sheikh Rashid was optimistic that new Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, would be more serious in settling the Kashmir issue because being a renowned economist he knew that without settling the Kashmir issue the regional economy would not flourish.

Salahuddin Haider in his welcome address expressed concern over what he called a lack of sense of responsibility by a private TV channel while reporting Wednesday's bomb blast. -APP